EGYPT – Sinister video follows killing of Egyptian Christians

EGYPT – Sinister video follows killing of Egyptian Christians

Our brothers and sisters in Egypt need our prayers – after a spate of recent killings and terrorist death threats.

Four Christians have been killed in three separate attacks in as many weeks. Then, on Sunday, the Islamic State group broadcast a video calling for further killings.

Pray that God’s peace and presence will be with His people in Egypt.

The four murders took place in North Sinai, an area where militant extremists have been active in recent years. Five years ago, many Christians fled after leaflets were distributed giving them 48 hours to leave or be killed. Many Christians returned after President Morsi was overthrown in 2013.

Wa’el Youssef was shot dead in front of his wife and son at his shop in al-Arish on January 31. Two weeks later, militants killed Bahgat William and Adel Shawqi in the same town. Gamal Tawfiq was shot dead last Thursday.

Christians’ fears were further heightened on Sunday when IS published a video calling on its followers to kill Christians in Egypt. The film featured a recording of the suicide bomber who targeted St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo on December 11, killing 29 people.

Pray that Christians in North Sinai and across Egypt will put their trust in God and draw close to Him.

Ask God to comfort the grieving families and friends of the four Christians killed in North Sinai over the past few weeks.

Pray for wisdom and boldness for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Government as they confront this extremist threat.

(Source: Middle East Concern)

UPDATES

We’re pleased to report that our Iranian brothers Amin Nader Afshar and Hadi Askary have ended their hunger strike after they were promised medical care and progress in their case. They began their protest after being refused medical treatment. Despite being in jail since August, they have yet to be charged. On February 14, the Head of the Attorney General’s Office visited them and promised to investigate their case. Pray that no charges will be brought against them or the three other Christians arrested with them. Pray Amin and Hadi will be released at once. (Source: Middle East Concern)

Please pray for our Chinese sister Zhang Xiuhong who has just been sentenced to five years in jail. Zhang, a former deacon of Huoshi (Living Stone) Church in Guiyang City, Guizhou, was arrested in July 2015, and later charged with ‘illegal business operations’. Her pastor, Yang Hua, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in January, following several years of persecution. (Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)